University shuts down water well as precautionary measure

Posted by Jayme Blaschke University News Service May 24, 2012

Texas State University-San Marcos has shut down a water well that provides potable water to campus after routine sampling tested positive for E. coli bacteria on the pre-treatment side of the system on May 24.

No contamination has been found on the post-treatment side of the system. The well has been disinfected according to American Water Works Association standards. University personnel have retested the well and are monitoring the situation.

Texas State is working closely with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to insure all regulatory requirements are adhered to and public health is protected at all times. Texas State will update media outlets as necessary until the situation is fully addressed.

Attached is the required regulatory Public Notice.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Texas State University-San Marcos (Public Water Supply ID# 1050003) had a water well that tested positive for E. coli.

E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply samples on May 24, 2012. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.

WHAT SHOULD I DO? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.

Corrective action: Well has been taken out of service and will be disinfected according to American Water Works Association Standard C 654-03. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria. We anticipate resolving the problem within 96 hours (May 29, 2012). For more information, please contact Carl Teague, Jr., at (512) 245-2108 or 601 University Dr., San Marcos, Texas 78666.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.